Fabric



July 19, 1927. F. L. KUNKEL FABRIC Filed April 9, 1926 fkmER/ML/KMKEL.

ATTORNEY 'BYWM Patented July 19, 1927.

rnnnnarox :n. UNKEL," or MILWAUKEE. Wiscons n."

FABRIC.

Application filed April 9, 1926. Serial No. 100,876.

This invention relates to wire fabrics and more particularly to fabrics serving as sup-. ports for bedding placed thereon.

Une object of the present invention is to simplify and improve the construction of fabrics of the character mentioned.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved securing means for effectively connecting the elements constituting the fabric.

A further object is to provide a fabric which is readily yieldable both longitudinally and transversely to sustain and accommodate with comfort an individual resting thereon, thereby. contributing to its durability and wearing qualities.

A still further object is to provide means for selectively limiting the maximum transverse spread of the fabric within the elastic limits of the yielding means.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a fabric embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is asectional view taken substantially along line 3-8 of Fig. 1.

The fabric selected for illustration is, in this instance, suspended from the ordinary frame having the horizontal flanges thereof provided with a series of spaced apertures 11 for the reception of the usual series of helical springs 12, which furnish the desired longitudinal resiliency and elasticity.

The fabric itself, in which the novel features of the present invention more particularly reside, constitutes a series or plurality of spaced straps 13 resiliently suspended from the frame 10 by means of the helical springs 12 which are interposed between the apertured extremities thereof and the frame 10 in any appropriate manner such as by anchoring the hooked ends of the springs in the alined apertures 11 and 14 of the frame and straps, respectively. To resiliently maintain the straps 13 in spaced relation, a transverse series of resilient members, in this instance helical springs 15, are suspended between the side straps 16 which are preferably somewhat wider than the straps 13. As shown, the springs 15 are each secured at their ends in a manner to be hereinafter described, to the members 16 and also to each. intermediate strap 18 to prevent irregular shifting of the straps and to resiliently sustain them intermediate their ends.

The novel means for resilientlysustahr ing the straps consists in providing each strap, which is preferably of flexible metal, with a plurality of inclined slots 17, in this instance two, at spaced intervals to receive and accommodate a corresponding number of convolutions of the springs 15, which project therethru. To retain the convolutions of thespring in. the slots 17, a transverse tension member 18, preferably a wire, is interposed between the straps 13 and the pro jecting convolutions of the springs 15, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, so that the springs 15 are retained in proper position at all times. The wire 18, as shown, has bent terminals 19 to restrain the movement within predetermined limits, however, the springs 15 are active transversely and are" limited only when the transverse spread is suiiicient to have the ends 19 of the wire engage the ends of the springs through which the wire 18 extends. It is to be noted that the wire 18 helps to sustain the load on the fabric, butdoes not render the springs 15 inactive until the transverse spread has reached a maximum as defined by the lengtlrof the wire 18.

With the arrangement above described, the fabric is readily assembled, since the transverse springs15 may be extended end to end and anchored after which spaced convolutions thereof are projected through the slots in the intermediate members 13. The wire is then inserted within the spring, intermediate the projected convolutions and the underside of the straps, and the ends thereof are bent as at 19 to limit the maximum trans verse spread of the fabric.

Various changes may be made in the em-.

bodiment of the invention hereinabovc specifically described, without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bed-bottom fabric comprising a series of longitudinal load-sustaining straps, transverse helical springs intersecting said straps, said straps having diagonal slots formed therein for receiving convolutions of said springs, and a wire projected lengthwise through each spring for retaining said convolutions Within said slots.

2. A bed-bottom fabric comprising a series of longitudinal load-sustaining straps each having a plurality of diagonal slots a plurality of transverse helical springs superimposed upon said straps With convolutions thereof projected through said slots, and a Wire projected lengthwise through each 10 spring beneath said straps to retain said projected convolutions Within said slots.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 3d day of April, 1926.

FREDERICK L. KUNKEL. 

